Brock Lesnar working such a stiff match flies in the face of the much-touted PG approach

For at least two years, the world market leader shies away like a scolded dog from even the merest reference to “wrestling” and “fighting” in a quest to redefine their “PG” product

Rather like John Cena’s face under the savage MMA elbows of Brock Lesnar, the concept, as most fans my age know it, seems to be wilting.

That’s not a negative, but there is a latent contradiction in what’s going on here.

For at least two years, the world market leader shies away like a scolded dog from even the merest reference to “wrestling” and “fighting” in a quest to redefine their “PG” product.

Superstars take the leads in in-house straight-to-DVD movies, to largely disastrous financial effect, the company toys with the idea of its own television network in the States, and steadfastly refuses to engage with even friendly media out- side its self-styled “Universe”.

Opportunity knocks, you would imagine, for a more traditional approach.

As a consequence, TNA Impact spends reams of time and effort telling the world they are concentrating on wrestling, yet a good part of the product merely apes what happens in WWE. The purse strings have been tightened, but the politics need straightening out too.

Granted, originality comes at a price in terms of bravery and risk, but people are beginning to talk more of missed opportunity and stagnation as the 10th anniversary approaches for the Nashville promotion. Their best market is here.

Meanwhile, Ring of Honour plod along, with consistently the best wrestling matches on American soil. Then their top talent gets assimilated into WWE.

WWE have led the line well in 2012, no question, but there is a discrepancy between the public face of the industry and the product. The corporate face of wrestling as a global media entity is alien to many fans. Brock Lesnar working such a stiff match flies in the face of the much-touted PG approach.

If WWE is a global media industry, it seems odd it maintains such an insular approach to the mainstream media. If the product is aimed at kids, then surely Lesnar elbowing Cena repeatedly in the face until he bleeds profusely is more UFC than CBBC?

And if TNA are the saviours of good old in-ring wrestling, then let’s concentrate on getting an 80% ratio of in-ring to backstage and promos on Impact.

World Champion Bobby Roode comes to town in late May to plug the tour, so expect some fireworks.